We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spectroscopic investigation of hydrogen bond network stability and microplastic leaching in ethanol-based potentised medicines at extreme dilutions during prolonged plastic storage
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used spectroscopic techniques to study whether plastic storage containers affect extremely diluted ethanol-based homeopathic medicines over one month, finding that hydrogen bond networks and antioxidant activity were altered by plastic storage compared to glass.
The quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical products stored under proper conditions are critical. This study examined the effects of long-term plastic storage on extremely diluted ethanol-based potentised (EP) medicines using advanced spectroscopic techniques. Four medicines, Arnica montana, Rhus toxicodendron, Conium maculatum, and Belladonna, at ultra-high (200C, 1 M) and moderate-high (30C, 200C) potencies, were stored in glass and plastic containers for one month. Post-storage, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), pH, and spectroscopic analyses (ATR-FTIR, Raman and DLS) were conducted. Glass-stored medicines showed increased antioxidant activity and zeta potential with higher potency, while plastic-stored samples showed a decreasing trend. Conductivity was inversely correlated with zeta potential, with glass-stored medicines showing a ∼ 41.91 % reduction, while plastic-stored samples showed a ∼ 36.29 % increase. Mid-IR spectra revealed a blue shift (∼4-14 cm) in O-H stretching and a red shift (∼2-3 cm) in H-O-H bending for glass-stored medicines, showing weaker inter-molecular H-bonds at higher potencies. In contrast, plastic-stored medicines showed opposite shifts (∼2-17 cm), implying more constrained H-bonding due to carbonyl-water interaction in presence of microplastics, disrupting the native ethanol-water H-Bond network. Far-IR spectra showed an enthalpic gain (∼45.34 %) in glass-stored medicines, while plastic-stored samples showed an enthalpic loss (∼56.60 %), confirming structural destabilisation of native water-network due to microplastic leaching. Our findings show that plastic containers compromised the efficacy of studied medicines by altering H-bond network stability and electrical properties. Further studies on different plastic grades and storage durations are needed to validate these findings and explore cost-effective alternatives for long-term storage of such medicines.
More Papers Like This
Micro/nanoplastics in drugs that are stored in synthetic polymer bottles; an unseen danger to humans
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers identified micro- and nanoplastic particles leaching from polyethylene terephthalate pharmaceutical storage bottles, isolating irregular transparent particles under 50 µm confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, raising concerns about the uncharacterized toxicological risk of plastic contamination in life-saving drugs stored in synthetic polymer containers.
First assessment of microplastic exposure from heated liquid herbal medicine: Packaging breakdown and ingestion risk
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic release from heated liquid herbal medicine packaged in flexible plastic pouches and found that heating significantly increased the number of particles released. Microwave heating and hot-water baths both produced substantially more microplastic contamination than unheated samples. The study raises concerns about an overlooked source of microplastic ingestion from a widely consumed traditional health product.
First evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates: A quantitative and qualitative assessment of Iranian brands
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in 92% of Iranian bottled herbal distillate samples, finding an average contamination level of 7.32 particles per liter, primarily fibers and fragments smaller than 500 micrometers in transparent, white, or black colors. The study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates, implicating plastic packaging used during production, transportation, and storage as potential contamination sources.
Quantification of Microplastics in Plastic-Bottled Chinese Baijiu Using Micro-FTIR in Imaging Mode
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were detected and quantified for the first time in Chinese baijiu (a popular distilled spirit) stored in plastic bottles, using micro-FTIR imaging to identify polymer types and estimate exposure concentrations from consumption.
Characterization of microplastics in water bottled in different packaging by Raman spectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in bottled water from different packaging types using Raman spectroscopy, confirming that plastic contamination occurs across various commercial water bottle materials.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.